Dave,

I am not a show-winner or anything near that, but trust me on this: Keep your bird console like the original - An AM or AM/FM radio and maybe an 8-track down in the ashtray opening.
People young and old will always flock around your car, and seeing a CD-player in the console will take something away from their experience at being near your bird. A CD player is obviously not original and not nostalgic, and folks see that and know that what they are seeing is not CLASSIC! Keep whats out in the open CLASSIC! There are plenty of ways to have a great CD stereo without it being part of the upper or lower dash.
Put the old AM/FM radio and an 8-track in there for all to see, even if it isn't hooked up. Put the CD player somewhere where the gawkers don't see it, but you can use it for your music.

Trust me please, our younger generation knows the original stuff and envies it for some reason, my friend. An in-dash 8-track just freaks them out, cause they have heard of it but have no idea how it worked....hence your chance to explain a long-lost marvel of technology! You won't get anyone asking about your CD. We FGFers need to continuously astound and marvel our spectators, whether they be at shows, at the Walmart parking lot, or just neighborhood kids taking a look at the Bird. Only then will we make our cars true Classics.

I'm sorry for sounding so snotty, but I am truly so proud to drive and own an FGF.